Accident ``Jasper/Open

[Alice Swan]

Alice couldn't believe it. She simply could not believe what had happened. She normally would have thought that she was confused, seeing things. But with Jasper, seeing was believing, and he had done something no other human could do.

Alice put her things in the truck, turning around to see Jasper standing by his brother's car. They were officially a couple, and she was ecstatic about it. He was absolutely perfect. His eyes danced from the other end of the parking lot, as if he were truly excited to see her. He began to walk in her direction-

Alice's eyes glazed over. A van spinning on the ice, out of control, stopping as soon as it hits a red truck, crushing a small, pixie-like figure. Her.

Alice was pulled from the vision as soon as she had it, for a loud, ear-splitting screech pierced the air. She stared in fear, her legs locked, unable to move. Just before the car hit her, she felt something. She was jerked out of the way, held down to the ground. Hands shot out in front of her, stopping the van in its tracks. Alice stared, wide-eyed, into the eyes of her savior. Jasper....

Dr. Cullen had said that she was okay, that she had not gained permanent head damage. She simply needed to take some Tylenol over the next few days and she would be okay. "You're lucky Jasper was standing right next to you." Dr. Cullen had said. She knew that was a lie. She certainly was NOT okay, and Jasper had some explaining to do.

She assured her father that she was fine, scowling at him when he said that she needed to call her mother. Could something happen to her that didn't involve her mother? Of course not. She walked out of the room, looking down the hall just in time to see Jasper. She looked at Charlie, asking for some time to think. "I'll meet you at the car, Dad." she assured him. She saw him scowl, his eyes flickering in Jasper's direction, until he finally left. She stared down the hall at him, leaning against the wall. She certainly wasn't going to be the first to talk.

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper walked down the hall, dazed. What the Hell had just happened? He had saved Alice from getting crushed by a van, that was what had happened. Yet, something told him Alice had something to say about it and he wouldn't like it. Truth be told, she probably had some idea of what had happened, though it could pass off for hitting her head and still a little confused.

A smile had lit up on Jasper's face when he saw her. She was finishing putting a few things in her truck, and Jasper smiled when she finally looked over at him. His smile perked up a little, excited to go see her. He began walking, noticing Alice's eyes glaze over. Damn, why did she have to be able to see the future. He had intended to merely walk up to her and kiss her, though that wouldn't be possible now that she had seen the future.

A loud, ear-piercing screech drifted swiftly through the air, and Jasper's head immediately jerked towards it. A van was spinning out of control on the ice, and of course, Alice was it's target. She was a danger magnet, but Jasper was the one to repel the danger. Of course, he still had half the parking lot to cross and that wouldn't be enough time to save Alice. Might as well run and say he had been standing next to her.

Using his vampire speed, Jasper pulled Alice out of the way, holding her with a hand to the ground. The other hand stopped the van that was on a rampage towards them. Alice's eyes were wide, and Jasper took in a quick breath to regain himself. He had done that to save Alice, and she appeared fully aware of what had happened. Splendid.

Jasper breathed slightly easier when he noticed Alice was standing next to the wall. Moreover, leaning on it. He watched Charlie leave, having heard the scowl and seen the quick flicker in Jasper's direction. When he was out the hospital doors, Jasper picked up the speed slightly. He stopped just before Alice, a smile gracing his features. He could play this off. Make it seem like she was just confused.

"Alice," Jasper breathed, smiling. "Carlisle said you'd be okay. How are you? I was worried to death about you," Jasper said, not pulling Alice in for a kiss or a hug. Something in her eyes--and emotions--told him she wasn't in the mood for that and that he should be careful. What was she thinking? Was she really okay?

[Alice Swan]

Alice was thoroughly pissed. More than that, she was hurt. What was he keeping from her? Why had he felt the need to lie to her? Jasper had the nerve to look relieved when he saw her, and her frown deepened. He walked a bit faster when Charlie left, a confident smile on his face as he stopped just before her. She merely stared at him, awaiting his greeting.

What the Hell? People swarmed around the two vehicles, screaming at each other to call 911 and to ask if Alice was okay. She tried to calm everyone down, saying that she only had a little bit of a headache. That one little statement had everyone reeling, wanting to take Alice to the hospital, worried that she might have a concusion. Jasper went along with it - the little traitor - telling the paramedics to make sure everything was alright. He seemed to beg her with his gaze to go along with his story, and, sensing his true worry, she felt the need to relieve him.

She lied to the paramedics, to her father, to everyone. Jasper had been on the other side of the lot, far away from where she had been. She felt like she was keeping a secret she didn't even know about, and that triggered something in her brain. Why would Jasper lie to the paramedics? To everyone? What was he?

"Alice," Jasper breathed, smiling. "Carlisle said you'd be okay. How are you? I was worried to death about you." He didn't bother kissing her or pulling her in for a hug. Good. He knew she was angry. She looked away from him pointedly, refusing to meet his eyes. "Care to explain?" She demanded, crossing her arms. She was so angry she felt she could cry, and most people knew that if they ever made her that angry, the best thing for them to do would be to run. But she wasn't planning on letting Jasper run. No, he was going to explain everything, whether he wanted to or not.

Her heart ached as she stared out the window. How could he lie to her? Did he even know how much it hurt her to know he was keeping something from her? She moved her hair out of her eyes, finally turning her gaze towards him. She glared at his chest, still unable to look him in the eye. If she did, she probably would cry. It was easier to be angry with him when she wasn't looking directly at him.

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper knew from Alice's emotions she was pissed off. And hurt? Why was she hurt? He would have to figure out what he had done to hurt her. Hurting her was among the last things he ever wanted to do. Next to leaving her. And killing her. What exactly was she thinking?

Jasper took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself some. People were shouting, asking if Alice was alright while the paramedics made their way to the accident scene. It seemed like a lot of yelling, Alice's only response being she had a slight headache. That made everyone think she had a concussion.

By the time the paramedics arrived, Jasper knew he would have to get to them before Alice did. He easily told them he had been standing next to her when the van came flying in. He had brought her down and put a hand out in attempt to stop the van. When they asked how his hand was, he merely said it ached, but not that bad. Nothing Carlisle couldn't fix.

Of course they believed him. When you were an adoptive child of Carlisle Cullen, they never worried about you. Perfect health, perfect condition. If something happens that probably shouldn't have happened and the paramedics ask if you're hurt, you just say Carlisle can check it and fix it if he must.

Jasper's eyes flashed down to the bandadge wrapped around his hand. It was just to make sure Alice didn't become to suspicious. If he had come walking up to her with both hands perfectly fine, what would she have said? That he would never know. So, to go along with the entire lie, Jasper had asked Carlisle to bandadge his hand so it would seem like it was hurt. Slightly, at the very least.

"Care to explain? Alice demanded, folding her arms. She wasn't looking at him. She was angry, infuriated. He watched as she moved the hair out of her eyes, turning back towards him. She didn't meet his eyes, rather she glared at his chest. His non-beating heart began to ache slightly, a result of the glare.

"I was standing right next to you. Your eyes glazed over and in that time that you were in a vision, I got to your side. I got there right when you got out and the wheels started to screech," Jasper said, lieing. He knew all to well he was lieing, but being the actor that he was, he could pull it off easily. Make it seem like it was the golden truth, not a bloody lie.

[Alice Swan]

Alice frowned, "Dad, I'm okay," she assured him, not wanting him to worry. They were loading her into the ambulence now, a brace around her neck. They were completely over-exaggerating. At least, Jasper was. She tried to get out of having to ride in the ambulence, like he had, but he told them that he was sure there was something wrong with her head, that she needed Carlisle - whoever that was - to check her out.

The ride to the hospital was exhausting. Her head hurt and she wanted to go home, to escape the humiliation she had just experienced. Jasper was going to have Hell to pay when she got out.

Charlie fretted the entire way, demanding to see Dr. Cullen at once. Alice merely sighed as she waited, anxious and impatient. When Dr. Cullen finally arrived on the scene, she couldn't help but gasp. The man looked like an actor on a soap opera, not a real-life doctor. He checked her head, asking her to tell him when he reached the spot that was tender. She flinched when he reached it, and he nodded in responce. She ignored the jibber-jabber between him and her father, impatient to hear the lovely words "you're free to go."

Jasper quickly looked down at his bandaged hand, and Alice followed his gaze. Way to fake it, Alice thought bitterly. She didn't know if he was truly hurt or not. She probably wouldn't believe him if he told her he was. He looked uncomfortable as she glared at him, and she felt mildly satisfied by that. He should feel uncomfortable. He deserved it.

"I was standing right next to you. Your eyes glazed over and in that time that you were in a vision, I got to your side. I got there right when you got out and the wheels started to screech," Jasper said, and Alice could detect no note of falseness in his voice. But that's what actors did, wasn't it? They could lie through their teeth and still look completely innocent. Alice shook her head. "Stop it," she snapped, "Stop. Lying." She glared at him fully now, giving him full access to the true anger and hurt she felt.

"God, who are you?" She demanded, unable to stop herself. She wanted to hit something, anything. Her fists clenched, and she stared down at them angrily. He was making her this way. She never felt the need to expell her anger through violence. Taking a deep, calming breath, Alice spoke, her voice strangely even. "Why am I even allowing myself to speak with you?" She demanded of herself. She shook her head once more, now angry with herself. Why couldn't she control herself around him?

[Jasper Hale]

It hadn't taken much to convince the paramedics Alice needed to see Carlisle. Not only was he the best of the best, but she also needed to meet him personally. Meet his adoptive father. He knew that once Alice was checked over and what not he would have Hell to pay. But that was something he was going to have to face, and not cower about. Take it like a man, handle it like a gentleman.

Jasper waited in Carlisle's office while he wandered off to go see Alice. It was about twenty minutes later when he finally got back, deciding to ask Jasper a little about Alice and what had happened. He summarized it up quickly and easily, not wanting to waste to much of Carlisle's time. If he had to work later because him and Jasper had talked everything out right then and there Esme was going to have a fit.

Jasper noticed Alice's gaze had fallen to his hand. Hopefully she would believe the little act. It was all for her. And, truth be told, him and his family. Selfish as it was, nobody could know they were vampires. All the lieing and what not was for them as a group. Nobody needed to know they were vampires, and it also saved Alice a lot of insane looks.

"Stop it," Alice snapped, though Jasper didn't even flinch in response. He deserved it, and would take it like a man. He may not be human, but he was a man. "Stop. Lying." Her glare let all her anger out and Jasper shut his eyes for a moment, calming himself down. He resisted the urge to snap back at her. Where would that get them if he did? Absolutely nowhere.

"Alice," Jasper paused for a moment, deciding how to phrase this statement. "I'm lieing to save you a lot of questions. And crazy looks. The least you can say is thank you," Jasper said, his tone having a tad bit more edge than he had ever wanted. He never used his harsh tone with Alice, which definitely meant he was upset about this entire ordeal.

"God, who are you?" Alice demanded, her fists clenched. She was staring at them with anger. "Why am I even allowing myself to speak with you?" she demanded again, though this was more directed to herself. With a sigh Jasper let his bandadged hand touch her own hand, trying to unclench it somewhat.

"I'm a plain guy, what did you expect?" Jasper retorted, finding it easiest. She was always asking him questions, his turn to ask the questions.

[Alice Swan]

Jasper didn't even flinch at Alice's statement. When she glared at him he closed his own eyes in response, obviously trying to calm himself, as well. "Alice," Jasper paused, "I'm lieing to save you a lot of questions. And crazy looks. The least you can say is thank you," his voice had an undeniable edge to it, and it irritated her to no end. "Well don't," she retorted, "I hate liars more than anything else. I'd rather know you were a murderer than have you lie to me constantly."

"Thank you," she added in a stiff, sarcastic voice, looking him dead in the face. "And for your information, I'm used to crazy looks! Didn't I tell you about Pheonix?! Ugh, I don't need you to save me from anything!" She struggled to lower her voice, though she had found herself unable to. No one else in the hall was truly able to hear them, that, at least, she could be glad about.

Jasper sighed, letting his bandaged hand come up to hers, trying to loosen her clenched fist. She jerked her hand away from his cold one. "Don't touch me," she growled. "I'm a plain guy, what did you expect?" Jasper retorted. Alice sighed. "I expect honesty," she replied, staring at him in shock and hurt. "How can I trust you? I've told you nearly everything about me. How do I know if anything you've ever said is true?"

Alice blinked away the tears. She would not cry here, especially in front of him. Why did she have to love somebody like him? She thought she knew him, but apparently, she was wrong. Again. She was so stupid for trusting a guy right off the bat. "Figures. As soon as I think I meet a decent guy, I find out he's just like the others." It took her several moments to figure out she had spoken aloud, but by that time, it was too late. The words had already been spoken.

[Jasper Hale]

It would take a while for Jasper to feel better about the edge in his voice that he had used with Alice. He never wanted to have to use it, but he did. The least he could do was try never to use it again. But that probably wouldn't be possible. His anger was slowly rising, and Alice's was certainly high. Edge may be something that he had no control over.

"Well don't," Alice retorted. "I hate liars more than anything else. I'd rather know you were a murderer than have you lie to me constantly." Jasper shut his eyes for another long moment. That stung. She didn't even know that he in truth was a murderer. He had killed humans, both as a human and as a vampire. As a vampire it had always been for blood. As a human it had been to try and win a war.

"Thank you," Alice continued, though her voice was stiff and sarcastic. "And for your information, I'm used to crazy looks! Didn't I tell you about Pheonix?! Ugh, I don't need you to save me from anything!" Jasper clenched his own fist, the good one. He took in several deep breaths, trying to calm himself down.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I don't lie to you constantly but it was for your own good. And I was trying to prevent those crazy looks you recieved in Phoenix! I don't want you to hate Forks like you hated Phoenix for the crazy looks. I wanted you to be happy here. I guess that isn't possible," Jasper said, his tone harsh. He glared outside, fuming. His breath was rough, but it was something. Anything to let go of the anger he currently had.

Alice jerked away from his hand, obviously hating it. "Don't touch me," she said in a growl. Jasper immediately let his hand fall to his side. "I expect honesty," she said in response, staring at him in both shock and hurt. "How can I trust you? I've told you nearly everything about me. How do I know if anything you've ever said is true?"

"Alice, I try to be honest with you as much as I can. But there are a few things about me that you shouldn't know. It's for your protection. There are hundreds of dangerous people in the world, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm one of them. We're your worst nightmares. Not serial killers or those type of people. We're the worlds most dangerous predator, and that's why I try to protect you from everyone else like us. Some aren't as... human as I am. Some will kill you without second thought. I'm trying to change. I'm trying to be someone you can trust and rely on. Perhaps I will never accomplish that goal," Jasper said, his tone calm the entire time. He was sure that anybody could see the hurt in his eyes. He looked away from Alice, taking a few steps towards the window.

"Figures. As soon as I think I meet a decent guy, I find out he's just like the others." Alice said, and Jasper clenched his fists. He flinched slightly at the bandadged hand--not only for appearance, but also because that hand was clenched far harder than the other. "I'm sorry I couldn't be the one of your dreams," Jasper murmured, looking down.

[Alice Swan]

Jasper closed his eyes for a long moment after she said that. She began to feel bad, knowing that she was the one that had put that look on his face. She knew the comment stung, but it was the truth. He clenched his good fist, taking several deep breaths before he could calm down.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I don't lie to you constantly but it was for your own good. And I was trying to prevent those crazy looks you recieved in Phoenix! I don't want you to hate Forks like you hated Phoenix for the crazy looks. I wanted you to be happy here. I guess that isn't possible," Jasper said, his tone harsh. He glared outside, fuming. Alice glared at him in return, "Too late! I've hated this place since I was six. I hate this school, I hate these people, and I hate this town!" An elderly woman shot a glare in Alice's direction, but she didn't notice. There. She had finally said it, and in front of Jasper no less. She didn't know how he felt about this hicktown, but she didn't seem to care at the moment. She was too angry to notice anything.

"Alice, I try to be honest with you as much as I can. But there are a few things about me that you shouldn't know. It's for your protection. There are hundreds of dangerous people in the world, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm one of them. We're your worst nightmares. Not serial killers or those type of people. We're the worlds most dangerous predator, and that's why I try to protect you from everyone else like us. Some aren't as... human as I am. Some will kill you without second thought. I'm trying to change. I'm trying to be someone you can trust and rely on. Perhaps I will never accomplish that goal," Jasper said, his tone calm the entire time.

Alice almost didn't catch the flicker of hurt in his eyes before he looked away from her, walking a few steps towards the window. She shook her head, trying to gather her thoughts. "What?" Was all she could manage. "What are you talking about? Jasper..." Her thoughts were all in a jumble, trying to process what he had said. Predators? Killers? Rosalie had warned Alice about danger with Jasper, but she didn't believe it. Jasper couldn't possibly be dangerous. Could he?

Jasper clenched his fists, flinching at the bandaged one. Alice frowned; so he wasn't faking his injured hand. It really was injured. The observation was forgotten, however, by his next words. "I'm sorry I couldn't be the one of your dreams," Jasper murmured, looking down. Alice sighed, taking a step towards him. "Jazz..." she shook her head, "Just forget that statement. I'm sorry, I'm just....ugh, would pissed off be a good expression?" She offered him a small smile. It was the best apology he would probably ever get from her, but hey, it was still an apology nonetheless, right?

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper could care less the emotions wafting through the hospital at the moment. Pain, hurt, anything bad was mainly on this floor. Of course, it was an emergency room. But Jasper hardly paid any attention to the emotions, not even Alice's. His own emotions were a jumbled mess, his thoughts the same. He could hardly think straight, and it was a miracle it didn't show when he spoke.

"Too late! I've hated this place since I was six. I hate this school, I hate these people, and I hate this town!" Alice said and Jasper merely nodded. He wasn't too crazy about Forks either. Oh how he couldn't wait till later. Not only would he have this--arguing with Alice--to worry about, but he would also have to argue with Rosalie. More over listen to her scold him. She was right. He should've avoided Alice. It would've been best for all of them.

"What?" Alice's response to his long statement. It was true, he was far more dangerous than anything she could imagine. But he was less lethal than most of the others of his kind. Most of the other vampires. "What are you talking about? Jasper..." Jasper kept breathing in and out slowly, calming himself more. After this entire mess was out of the way, the scolding from Rosalie included, he was going to have to go out and hunt and be away from everyone for a while. He wouldn't mind if Carlisle and/or Esme joined him, but he wouldn't force them to.

"It's nothing. Alice I would tell you, but I can't. I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe, and you have to just believe me on this. I know you're mad at me, but please, trust me on this. It's better if you don't know," Jasper said, staring out the window. "And don't say 'If you want to tell me so badly then tell me' because I want to keep you safe and that's what's preventing me from telling you," Jasper quickly added.

Jasper listened as Alice took a few steps towards him. "Jazz..." she began, and Jasper let his proud shoulders fall. What was the point of keeping them up, if his pride was already hurt? "Just forget that statement. I'm sorry, I'm just....ugh, would pissed off be a good expression?" Jasper turned to look over at her, not being able to smile at her small smile. He merely nodded, turning to look back out the window.

"My mood could be better too. Don't blame yourself," Jasper murmured, turning back around to face Alice. "I'm sure Charlie will be coming soon. Do you want me to come by later? We could finish talking about this, even if we have to pass notes in the front room in front of Charlie," Jasper said, thinking that thought over. He shrugged it off easily. The two of them would talk this through to the end. "Or I could drive you home in a while. I can borrow Carlisle's Mercedes. That way we could finish talking about this verbally," Jasper offered with a shrug. Whichever Alice wanted was fine. They just had to finish talking about this.

[Alice Swan]

"It's nothing. Alice I would tell you, but I can't. I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe, and you have to just believe me on this. I know you're mad at me, but please, trust me on this. It's better if you don't know," Jasper said, staring out the window. "And don't say 'If you want to tell me so badly then tell me' because I want to keep you safe and that's what's preventing me from telling you," Jasper quickly added. Alice sighed, "Fine. Whatever." She scowled out the window. She wasn't going to instigate the situation. If he didn't want to talk about it, than he shouldn't have to talk about it. And neither did she.

Jasper turned to look over at her, not being able to smile at her small smile. He merely nodded, turning to look back out the window. Alice groaned, walking to his side. She rested her arms on the tops of his shoulders, hugging him to her. She pressed her forehead against his. "I'm sorry," she apologized, "Please forgive me?" She asked. She couldn't bare to see him this way, whether she was angry with him or not. She wasn't letting him off the hook, and she wasn't happy about his decision to lie to her, but she had to make him feel better. Whether that meant shaving her head and dancing to the macarena in front of Leonardo DiCaprio.

"My mood could be better too. Don't blame yourself," Jasper murmured, turning back around to face Alice. "I'm sure Charlie will be coming soon. Do you want me to come by later? We could finish talking about this, even if we have to pass notes in the front room in front of Charlie. Or I could drive you home in a while. I can borrow Carlisle's Mercedes. That way we could finish talking about this verbally," Jasper offered with a shrug.

Alice shrugged as well, stepping a few steps away from him. "Well, I'd better catch up with my dad," she said, her tone a bit lighter, "Unless you have something to tell me, of course," she added, raising an eyebrow. She was not going to let this go; one way or the other, she was going to figure out what was wrong.

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper's entire stomach was something along the lines of uneasy. Though he wouldn't be able to throw up like a human, it was still flipping and full of butterflies. Or spiders. Whatever they were, they were making him very uncomfortable. And he definitely didn't need that added onto the anger and hurt he was feeling already.

"Fine. Whatever." Alice scowled and Jasper shifted uneasily at this. Why couldn't she just accept it normally? Why did she have to be so... moody. A teenage drama queen, to say the least. Why couldn't she thank him normally for saving her? Thank him normally for doing everything he could to keep her safe? Why did she have to respond in such a harsh tone that let him know she was pissed off at him and not at all thankful for what he was doing?

Jasper didn't move when Alice walked to his side, resting her arms on his shoulders. She pulled him down slightly, hugging him to her. Her forehead rested against his, and Jasper knew it would be impossible to avoid eye contact. He wished he could. Shut his eyes, look at the ground, everything in the surrounding room. But Alice definitely wasn't going to let that happen. "I'm sorry," she apologized and Jasper sighed softly. "Please forgive me?"

"Forgiven," Jasper said without really thinking it over. He honestly did forgive her, but he wasn't in the best of moods to show that affectionately. Normally he would've kissed her, a silent way of saying she was forgiven. But right now he was just to mad about everything to be able to show any affection at all.

Alice shrugged in return, taking a few steps away from him. "Well, I'd better catch up with my dad," she said, her tone slightly lighter. That was a start, at least. "Unless you have something to tell me, of course," she added and Jasper sighed. So much for the start. She wasn't about to let this go, this Jasper was certain of.

"I'm sorry. For everything," Jasper mumbled. It was all he could get out. He didn't bother watching Alice leave. Rather he went to go lean against the window, resting his arm on it to keep himself propped up slightly. He shut his eyes for a long moment, sighing when he decided he had to tell Alice one last thing. "I love you, Alice," he called to her, not caring if the rest of the hospital heard him. He needed to tell her he loved her because he did. With his entire heart, he loved Mary Alice Swan.

[Alice Swan]

Jasper was extremely moody at the moment. Honestly, she didn't know if he was doing it on purpose or not, but she felt uneasy, as if there were butterflies in her stomach. Not nearly as bad as when she was sick, but still uncomfortable, to say the least. Jasper shifted uncomfortably when Alice replied, and she couldn't help but find it a bit comical. She'd never known Jasper to be the awkward type. He was always so smooth, suave and graceful. Now...not so much.

She knew that he was upset with her. Probably angry that she wasn't more grateful to him, or possibly because she wouldn't drop the subject. She couldn't help it. If he would just tell her, than she could help him deal with it. But as long as he was being cold and secretive about it, Alice would remain - excuse the language - a bitch until she found out what it was. She was stubborn. Don't blame her for that; blame her parents.

Jasper remained still as she walked towards him, and it was too late for him to run by the time she hugged him. Jasper sighed softly as she apologized, telling her she was forgiven before really thinking it through. She wanted to kiss him, to tell him she was sorry over and over again just to see that familiar smile on his face, but it didn't seem like that would happen. He was too angry himself to deal with that at the moment, and she wouldn't push him when it came to this. At least, not yet.

Jasper sighed. He was obviously unhappy with her statement, but that was simply the way she was. Persistant to no end. "I'm sorry. For everything," he murmured. Okaaaay....not exactly what she had in mind, but it was a start. He didn't look at her, simply walking closer to the window, leaning against it, resting on his arm on it. She smiled, "Okay, then," she said, "When you're ready, give me a call."

She turned around, walking towards the elevator, when she heard Jasper sigh. "I love you, Alice," he called to her, and she stopped in her tracks. She stopped breathing. Slowly, she turned around, staring at Jasper in awe and wonder. "Do you really mean that?" She couldn't help but ask. If this was a lie as well, she would not be able to handle it. She needed to hear it from his own lips that this was the truth. She waited many years to finally hear words such as these. Did Jasper truly feel the way that she did?

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper's composure was nowhere to be seen. Normally he could answer everything smooth and calmly. Now he was uncomfortable and uneasy, not to mention a complete and utter mess. Running a hand through his hair, Jasper let out a frustrated sigh. Why couldn't he keep himself composed when he needed it most? Why was it that when he didn't need it at all, he had complete control over it, but when he needed it most, there was no control over it? It was how God made things in life--difficult.

Jasper had been so upset and angry that he had failed to smell all the blood in the air. He still ignored it. He was doing perfect. Resisting it's every temptation. That was something positive that he would have to keep in his mind. How he was ignoring the blood lust where it was strongest. He could be proud of himself for this, but that pride wouldn't be coming back for a while. No, it would be several hours till his pride fully came back.

"Okay then," Alice said. Well at least she was dropping it... for now. "When you're ready, give me a call." Ah, there was the catch. He knew all to well she wouldn't be giving up that easily. She would be persistent about this to no end. Not until she found out more about him and his secrets he hid. He was sure she could find them on her own, but why tell her that? No need to encourage her to come to the most dangerous thing in the world. Jasper merely nodded in response. He was still regaining himself, so it would do for now.

He listened to her shoes tap against the floor as she headed for the elevator. A few more steps and she would've been there, had he not called to her and told her he loved her. She stopped in her tracks, slowly turning around. Jasper shut his eyes for a moment, mentally cursing himself. Alice made no movement, and Jasper walked towards her lightly on his feet. His head was hung slightly lower than normal, his hands in his pockets. Every few steps he would check through his blonde hair to see if Alice was still standing there, waiting for him. He looked like a shy young boy, or perhaps a nervous one too.

"Do you really mean that?" Alice asked and Jasper nodded. "Alice, I may have to lie to you from time to time to protect you, but this I would never lie about. Every little thing about you I love. Even your stuborn side I love. I know I haven't been the best boyfriend today," Jasper paused for a moment, looking away. He wasn't entirely sure if they were still together, after the fighting.

"Or the best boyfriend you've ever had I guess. Anyways, I still love you with my entire heart. I have scars on my heart that I never believed would heal. I didn't believe in true love, and that the person that was my true love would heal all those scars. Now I honestly do," Jasper paused for another moment, attempting to regain what was left of his composure.

"I love you, Mary Alice Swan," Jasper said truthfully, meeting her eyes. He was almost one hundred--no, one thousand--percent positive that Alice didn't love him in return. She had every reason not to love him. He had to lie to her to protect her, but that made him a liar none the less. Nobody would ever blame her for dumping him. Or not loving him.

[Alice Swan]

Jasper nodded at her inquirie. "Alice, I may have to lie to you from time to time to protect you, but this I would never lie about. Every little thing about you I love. Even your stuborn side I love. I know I haven't been the best boyfriend today," Jasper paused for a moment, looking away. Alice sighed, smiling at him. He really did love her.

"Or the best boyfriend you've ever had I guess. Anyways, I still love you with my entire heart. I have scars on my heart that I never believed would heal. I didn't believe in true love, and that the person that was my true love would heal all those scars. Now I honestly do," Jasper paused once more, and Alice took this as her chance to speak. "Jasper...I love you, too. With all my heart. I know I haven't been here long, but I've loved you for years. Knowing you were out there helped me through the roughest times in my life."

Alice walked towards him once more, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you, Mary Alice Swan," Jasper's voice was filled with truth. His eyes met hers, and they were filled with that same, indescribable emotion she had seen in it so many times in her visions. Now she knew what it was: love. She smiled at him, now keeping tears of joy at bay. "And I love you, Jasper Hale," she declared, pushing herself up to the tips of her toes and kissing him.

Alice sighed, "Look," she told Jasper, "I'm not going to act like I understand why you're lying to me, because I don't. But I will act like I accept it. For now," she added, looking him dead in the eyes. "I don't like being lied to, and I especially don't like being lied to by you, so don't expect me to be chipper every time I see you. I love you, but that doesn't mean I can't be agitated with you." She smirked at him.

not much of a muse.